careful

[kair-fuh l] /ˌkɛər fəl/
adjective
1.
cautious in one's actions:
Be careful when you cross the street.
2.
taking pains in one's work; exact; thorough:
a careful typist.
3.
(of things) done or performed with accuracy or caution:
careful research.
4.
solicitously mindful (usually followed by of, about, or in):
careful of the rights of others; careful about one's behavior; careful in speech.
5.
Archaic.
  1. troubled.
  2. attended with anxiety.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English; Old English carful, cearful. See care, -ful
Related forms
carefully, adverb
carefulness, noun
quasi-careful, adjective
quasi-carefully, adverb
ultracareful, adjective
ultracarefully, adverb
Synonyms
1. watchful, guarded, chary, circumspect. Careful, cautious, discreet, wary imply a watchful guarding against something. Careful implies guarding against mistakes, by paying strict and close attention to details, and, often, trying to use good judgment: He was careful to distinguish between them. Cautious implies a fear of some unfavorable situation and investigation before coming to conclusions: cautious about investments. Discreet implies being prudent in speech and action and being trustworthy as a confidant: discreet in manner, in keeping secrets. Wary implies a vigilant lookout for a danger suspected or feared: wary of polite strangers. 2. meticulous, discerning. 2, 3. See painstaking. 3. conscientious. 4. thoughtful, concerned, solicitous, attentive, heedful, regardful.
Antonyms
1–4. careless.
Examples from the web for careful
  • Some photographs are happy accidents, others the painstaking result of careful planning and even years of practice.
  • At the same time, be careful about undermining your own case.
  • In immigration reform, be careful what you wish for.
  • He can read and write-skills denied you-and takes careful notes about your journey.
  • But careful experiments reveal that it travels at a finite speed.
  • We can only place better ethical practices in specimen collection and use careful methods of procurement.
  • However, be careful with bulletin boards, and other services.
  • Sometimes you need to be careful about preaching what you practice.
  • Never uproot or cut wildflowers, and be careful not to trample the plants.
  • Be careful forming beliefs from things people say without proper evidence.
British Dictionary definitions for careful

careful

/ˈkɛəfʊl/
adjective
1.
cautious in attitude or action; prudent
2.
painstaking in one's work; thorough: he wrote very careful script
3.
(usually postpositive; foll by of, in, or about) solicitous; protective: careful of one's reputation
4.
(archaic) full of care; anxious
5.
(Brit) mean or miserly
Derived Forms
carefully, adverb
carefulness, noun
Word Origin and History for careful
adj.

Old English cearful "mournful, sad," also "full of care or woe; anxious; full of concern" (for someone or something), thus "applying attention, painstaking, circumspect;" from care (n.) + -ful.